ILOILO City – Fire incidents in Western Visayas reached 1,320 in 2021 – 3.79 percent down from 1,372 fire cases recorded in 2020.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), in 2020 there were 790 “structure” fires, 490 “non-structure” and 92 that involved motor vehicles.
A structure fire is a fire involving the structural components of various types of residential, commercial or industrial buildings.
Last year, BFP Region 6 recorded 858 structure fires, 339 non-structure fires and 123 cases that involved motor vehicles.
But while last year’s fire incidents were lower than 2020’s, the value of damage ballooned to P1 billion.
Fire damage in 2020 was pegged at P1.3 million.
One of the biggest contributor to the increase, according to BFP-6 director Fire Senior Superintendent Jerry Candido, was the five-hour fire that struck Gaisano Grand Mall in Barangay 8, San Jose, Antique on June 17, 2021.
The fire was suspected to have originated at the ladies’ wear department at the second floor of the two-story building before quickly spreading.
No injuries were reported but residents near the mall had to evacuate at the height of the fire due to the heat and thick smoke.
Among the causes of structure and non-structure fires, said Candido, were electrical in nature, unattended stoves, unattended lighted candles, lighted cigarette butts, children playing match/lighter, open flame due to kerosene lamp, liquefied petroleum gas leakage, lightning, and open flame from land.
“Tama tani kahapos likawan ang mga common causes sang fire like paghaboy sang opos sang sigarilyo. Kun mahimo pa lang indi manigarilyo kun ara ka sa sulod balay mo,” said Candido.
He added: “Kag ang mga posporo dapat ibutang sa safe nga lugar para indi malab-ot sang mga bata.”
“We hope that this year the number of fire cases will continue to decline. We have to be careful and be responsible to avoid being a victim of fire,” said Candido./PN
